What I’m about to explain isn’t simply one other luxurious resort assessment. But please learn on and also you’ll see how this can be a luxurious expertise of a really completely different sort, however each bit as particular. Birka is basically the unique Stockholm – a bustling Viking buying and selling hub located on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren, simply west of modern-day Stockholm. It was established within the eighth century and served as one of many earliest city centres in Scandinavia, enjoying an important function within the commerce routes that related Viking territories with the remainder of Europe, Byzantium and even the Middle East.
Once a centre for retailers bringing items like furs, textiles, jewellery and unique objects, right this moment it’s a UNESCO World Heritage web site that welcomes guests to discover the location, be taught extra about Sweden’s deep Viking heritage and marvel at this image of early international commerce. And what’s actually particular is that you would be able to keep in a single day at Birka, lengthy after the vast majority of vacationers have left, to really admire the island’s historic values, nature and spirit, and have the place just about all to your self.
But firstly, how do you get there? Most guests arrive on board M/S Victoria – run by Strömma Kanalbolaget – which leaves Stockholm, and stops at varied jetties on the best way. Top tip: if in case you have a automobile, do as we did and drive to Jungfrusund in Ekerö, and board on the jetty there. Parking in Stockholm is dear, however at Jungfrusund you’ll be able to park without cost for as much as two days. Alternative choices are to drive to Lindby brygga, Adelsö and journey by motorboat, or constitution a yacht and moor at Birka’s visitor harbour.
The welcome
Anyone disembarking M/S Victoria at Birka is greeted by a wood signal, resting in opposition to an outdated wood wheelbarrow, with the phrase ‘welcome’ in Viking runes, set in opposition to a picturesque backdrop of crimson buildings and plush greenery.
You can go to Birka for the day, as most individuals do, or keep in a single day and revel in a glamping expertise. We had been there to do the latter, however didn’t talk our arrival once we first arrived as we first needed to take the tour. Tours run every day after the boat arrives – one in English and one in Swedish.
The tour of Birka
If you go to Birka, I strongly suggest you’re taking the tour. You’ll nonetheless have loads of time to discover the island at your personal leisure, however the tour – which is all included together with your go to – offers you some actually invaluable insights.
It takes about an hour and entails some strolling on assorted terrain, however nothing too strenuous. On the tour, which is delivered by somebody in conventional Viking apparel, you’ll find out about how the island is now a lot greater than it was resulting from post-glacial uplift of the terrain, but in addition concerning the excavations and burial chambers on the island.
You will find out about how retailers got here to the Birka from throughout Europe, in addition to different elements of the world, as revealed by archaeological excavations which have unearthed Arabic silver, beads and ceramics from Eastern Europe and unique materials from Asia. In return, the merchants would have acquired Swedish items equivalent to iron, horns, skins and furs.
Birka managed the commerce routes in northern Scandinavia for round 200 years, however got here to an finish when the residents both died or deserted the island, we’re undecided which. Some 5,000 graves – largely cremation graves – exist on the island right this moment and are a shifting reminder of what was as soon as a thriving group.
The tour concludes near the Monument of Ansgar, a cross that occupies the best level on the island. It was constructed to honour the Benedictine monk Ansgar, a missionary who was despatched to Sweden within the 800s by Louis the Pious, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, to carry Christianity to the nation. While his mission could not have been totally profitable, a monument bearing his identify was raised a thousand years later, in 1834, and it nonetheless stands right this moment.
It’s price visiting even when only for the view of Lake Mälaren.
The glamping expertise
Five glamping tents, every with historic Viking names and sleeping 2 to 4 folks, are a comparatively new addition to the island.
They are fenced off from the vast majority of guests to make sure a level of privateness, and located simply above the water’s edge.
The view from contained in the glamping tent is so peaceable and stress-free, and provides an exquisite vista throughout Lake Mälaren.
Each tent is furnished with a correct mattress and hotel-standard bedding, a lockable chest to your valuables, stools and a desk.
Shampoo, conditioner and bathe gel are all provided, as are towels and a lightweight, and showers and bathrooms can be found in a service constructing near the glamping space. Or, in the event you’re feeling courageous, take a dip within the refreshing water the Vikings bathed in through the small seaside that’s en route.
As for my evening’s sleep? As you realize, I’ve been lucky to remain at many beautiful lodges all around the world, however I’m not exaggerating once I say this was presumably probably the greatest evening’s sleep that I’ve had in years! I’m undecided what it was… possibly as a result of we went to mattress comparatively early when evening fell, or maybe it was the soothing nature of the water lapping in opposition to the shore outdoors, however I slept actually, very well and felt utterly refreshed the following morning.
Everything you want to plan your journey in 2024
The amenities
There is a lot to see on the island. Beside the archaeological web site and Ansgar Monument already talked about, there’s a museum and store which has exhibitions and a few glorious reconstructions displaying life in Birka within the Viking Age. It additionally consists of many desirable objects which were uncovered on the web site.
Across from the museum are some full-scale reconstructions of Viking-era buildings and boats, historic Norse crops, and livestock, to provide guests a greater perception into what life was like on this earliest of Swedish settlements. This genuine reconstruction relies partially on information obtained throughout archaeological excavations made on the island.
If you obtain Birka’s audio information to your cell phone, you’ll be able to hear about Ulvar, a 10-year-old who lived within the village through the Viking Age, or concerning the reconstruction of the homes.
There’s even a church on the island, managed by Ekerö parish, which is open for guests in addition to Summer weddings and christenings. Bearing the Christian missionary’s identify, the Ansgar Chapel, was designed by architect Lars Israel Wahlman and inbuilt round 1930, 100 years after the Monument of Ansgar was raised.
Finally, ensure you go to Restaurant Särimner, near the place the boat docks, the place you’ll be able to sit inside or out.
We had lunch there each days, having fun with regionally produced meals equivalent to basic Swedish meatballs served with pickled cucumber, lingonberries, potatoes and a cream sauce, beetroot beefs served with a gray pea hummus, root greens and sauerkraut, or smoked salmon served with a herb sauce and roasted root greens, spinach and pickled crimson onion. And the beer comes from native breweries too.
A Viking dinner at Restaurant Särimner is included within the glamping expertise, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from Swedish dishes equivalent to Classic Toast Skagen. This basic dish of shrimps in a creamy dressing of mayonnaise flavoured with contemporary dill and a squeeze of lemon is usually loved as a part of midsummer celebrations or on different festive events.
The hearty mains included dishes equivalent to crimson wine braised beef cheek with root vegetable gratin and asparagus, Särimner’s fish and seafood casserole, and glazed ribs with fries, all exceptionally cooked.
An espresso crème brûlée with contemporary berries was a stunning strategy to spherical off the night because the solar set over Björkfjärden.
The location
Birka is situated on Björkö Island in Lake Mälaren, roughly 30 kilometres west of Stockholm.
Other good touches
One actually beautiful a part of our keep was having a breakfast basket delivered within the morning. The chef had requested us the evening earlier than what we preferred in the best way of tea, espresso, juice, rolls, yoghurts, and many others. and this was duly dropped off by quad bike the following morning. Again, the climate was sort to us so we had been in a position to get pleasure from this outdoors.
The value
Boat excursions to Birka, which embrace a spherical journey, entry to the museum and a guided tour of the traditional fields, begin from simply 395 SEK (roughly $40 USD) per particular person.
The glamping expertise, which incorporates an in a single day keep, a Viking dinner and a breakfast bundle, begins from 3790 SEK (round $400 USD) for a 2-person tent, or 5700 SEK (round $600 USD) for a 4-person tent. Glamping visitors obtain a reduced boat journey with Strömma Kanalbolaget to and from Birka. The boat journey is booked individually with the low cost code acquired within the glamping affirmation.
The web site is simply simply accessible to guests within the hotter months of the yr, with a daily ferry service operating from Stockholm from May to September.
The finest bit
One of the actually particular issues about glamping at Birka is having the place to your self in spite of everything the opposite vacationers have left. And, while it’s exhausting to select a stand-out function of our glamping expertise as we liked each minute of it, the Viking dinner was actually beautiful. There was solely the 4 of us and the chef there, and he produced an distinctive meal for us, significantly when you think about the vast majority of the elements must be introduced on to the island. It was simply so peaceable and the climate was sort to us, which meant we had been in a position to eat outdoors, overlooking the water because the solar set. All very magical!
The remaining verdict
If you might be in Stockholm, I wholeheartedly suggest a go to to Birka. It is a really particular place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and of giant historic significance. But, to make your go to further particular and extra memorable, I’d undoubtedly suggest that you just go for the glamping expertise to completely immerse your self into the island’s historic values, nature and spirit. It offers you extra time to get to know the location and will let you higher admire all the things that it has to supply.
Disclosure: Our go to to Birka was sponsored by Strömma Kanalbolaget and our journey was kindly supported by Visit Stockholm.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has labored within the journey trade for greater than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED journal. In addition to different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.
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